Means and method of refrigeration



Sept. 1, 1936. B. F. RANDEL 2,052,580

MEANS AND METHOD OF REFRIGERATION Filed Nov. l4, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hill! Sept. 1, 1936. B. F. RANDEL 1,052,580

MEANS AND METHOD OF REFRIGERATION 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 14, 1932 Wan/70 Sept. 1, 1936. B RANDEL 2,052,580

MEANS AND METHOD OF REFRIGERATION Filed Nov. 14, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 P 3 B. F. RANDEL 2,052,580

MEANS AND METHOD OF REFRIGERATION Filed Nov. 14, 1932 5 Sheets-$heet 4 oo0 QQOOQQQQ QQQ Q Sept, 1, 1936. B RANDEL 2,052,580

v MEANS AND METHOD OF REFRIGERATION Filed Nov. 14, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I Q mini/WU? 9 5% Patented Sept. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES .OFFICE 2,952,580 v MEANS AND METHOD or REFRIGERATION Bo Folk'e Randal, San Diego, Calif.

Application November 14, 1932, Serial No. 642,529

19 Claims.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30,

My invention relates to the art of refrigeration, more particularly to refrigerating methods and means, wherein an inert gas is introduced in an absorption system as pressure equalizing medium. Reference is given to my pending application No. 534,773 and to United States Patents Nos. 1,882,252; 1,882,258; 1,882,254; 1,875,654; 1,922,713; and 1,915,693.

In the above application and patents, the principle of expanding .a liquid refrigerant in the presence of an inert medium is clearly illustrated. In some, mechanical means is applied for the proper circulation of the mediums, and in others, internal forces are created to cause necessary circulation, especially of the inert medium. In others, no such circulation of the inert medium is required as the refrigerant will merely dlifuse through this medium, which is more or less stationary. t.

In Patents Nos. 1,922,713 and 1,915,693, no special mention is made as to the force causing circulation of the inert medium between an evaporator and an absorber, as the illustrations plainly indicate this. The vapor mixture in the evaporator being at considerably colder temperature than the vapor mixture in an inter-connected absorber, where the temperature is more than 100 degrees higher, a circulation of the vapors will occur down through the evaporator and up through the absorber due to'this difference in temperature. The pressure of the vapor mixture in all such apparatus is substantially constant through both evaporator and absorber. There is no complete separation of inert gas from the refrigerant. Assuming the use of ammonia, water and hydrogen, the pressure of the gas mixture passing from the absorber to the evaporator will be substantially the same as the pressure of, the mixture passing from the evaporator to the absorber. If, we assume partial pressures of 150 lbs. on hydrogen and 30 lbs. on ammonia, this will be the partial pressures both in the inlet to the absorber and in the evaporator. The vapor passing from the absorber to the evaporator is not hydrogen alone, but is a mixture of hydrogen and a small amount of ammonia, into which liquid ammonia will evaporate from its 180 lbs. pressure to its 30, lbs. partial pressure. Circulation of the gas mixture is not caused by the presence of more or less hydrogen in the evaporator and absorber, but solelyby the difierence in temperature in these two vessels.

My present invention covers especially a methed and means to cause this circulation between 55 an evaporator and an absorber, and also complete systems and methods, of refrigeration. It may be especially applied to my apparatus as described in Patents Nos. 1,922,713 and 1,915,693. It may also be 'applied to many other apparatus using an inertpressure equalizing medium.

In Fig. 1, I illustrate in diagrammatic form my invention asapplied to my apparatus illustrated in Patent No. 1,922,713. In Fig. 2, I illustrate a modification of apparatus as illustrated in Fig. 1. In Fig. 3, I illustrate my invention as applied to my apparatus as illustrated in my Patent No. 1,915,693. In Fig. 4, I illustrate a modification of Fig. 3, and in Fig. 5, I illustrate a modification of Fig. 2.

It is understood that my invention covers any and all other applications and also the particu- 1ar step of causing a positive circulation of a gas mixture between an evaporator and an absorber.

The entire process will'first be described, and then the particular step in this process which is especially disclosed in this application.

Referring to Fig. 1, generator l, containing an absorbent as water is heated by gas flame la to vaporize said water, the steam rising through pipe 2 to condenser 3.- The steam is here liquefled toflow through pipe 4 to absorber 5, this absorber being cooled by water, in cooling jacket 5a.

Inside absorbent generator I is situated re:- frigerant generator 6, containing a rich solution of say ammonia and water, from' which solution the ammonia is driven out by the heat conducted from the absorbent generator I. The absorbent, free of refrigerant, issues through opening I from 6 to l. The refrigerant vapor is led through 'pipe 8, rectifier 9, separator Ill, refrigerant condenser ll, pipe I2 and into evaporator 13. Evaporator I3 and absorber 5 contain an inert gas as hydrogen,-and it is the evaporation of the liquid refrigerant into this inert gas, which cause refrigeration by evaporator l3.

The ammonia is reabsorbed by the water flowing through absorber, to re-form a rich solution at M which then flows back through pipe I! to refrigerant generator 6.

This describes in general the cycle which also is substantially disclosed in the two patents Nos. 1,922,713 and 1,915,693.

I will now describe the additional step causing circulation between the evaporator and absorber of the mixture of refrigerant vapor and inert vapor, which step is one subject of this present application.

To cause this circulation, I utilize the well 65 heated by flame 30a.

known steam injector principle, by which means steam from a boiler causes feed water to pass into this same boiler and from a lower to higher pressure.

Steam is permitted to condense and in so doing produces a partial vacuum, gaining velocity and momentum and through this momentum overcomes the pressure in the boiler.

I allow part of the steam to flow through pipe I6 to nozzle I'I enclosed in the upper part of the absorber 5. The nozzle is surrounded by the cool vapor mixture coming from the evaporator through pipe I8 and the steam is condensed by these in the mixing tube or nozzle I9. A partial 'vacuum is created causing a great increase in the velocity of the steam passing through nozzle I I, which increased velocity will give the condensate a momentum and force same through the mixing nozzle I9, diverging nozzle 20 and into absorber 5. This action will cause asuction effect on the vapor in pipe I8 and will force same into the absorber and thus cause a general circulation from evaporator to absorber and again back to evaporator through pipe 2 I.

I have shown how a part of the absorbent vapor is used to cause circulation. I may also allow all the absorbent vapor to pass through pipe I6 by eliminating condenser 3 and construct nozzle I! as a condenser. I

The operation of my apparatus as illustrated in location of the injector nozzle which will causecirculation of the vapors in an opposite direction i from what is indicated in Fig. 1.

The ejector nozzles have been identified as IIa, I9a and 20a and are enclosed in pipe 2| instead of in pipe I8 as in Fig. 1. Any further description of the operation should not be necessary.

In Fig. 3,' I illustrate an application to my apparatusias illustrated in patent No. 1,915,693. In this case I do not vaporize all the absorbent, but only so much asis required 'to elevate by percolator action the liquid absorbent. I also va-'- porize in addition so much absorbent as. is reuired in refrigerant generator and in ejector.

Referring to Fig. 3, 30 is an absorbent generator containing an absorbent, for instance water, Liquid and vapor will rise in percolator pipe 3I to a condenser 32, where, by a cooling coil, 32a, the vapor is condensed. The condensate with the liquid flows through pipe 33 to absorber 34, falling over trays 34a.

Steam generated in absorbent generator 31 passes through pipe 39, part continuing through heater 40 in refrigerant generator 31, and part continuing through pipe 42 to injector nozzles 43, 44 and 45, causing circulation of mediums from an absorber 34 to an evaporator 52. The

gases pass through 44, 45, 49, 5|, 52, 53,54 and '46 back to absorber'34.

It is seen that a pressure difference represented by liquid column h will be created, thus enabling the steam to flow as indicated.

The refrigerant vapor after passing through rectifier 56, separator 51 and condenser 60 will drythe inert gas and prevent steam orabsorbent vapor to accompany this gas to evaporator. The

vapor in condenser 2.

condensate and the enriched solution pass through pipes 41. 35 and 36, back to refrigerantgenerator 31, and the condensate created in heater 40 will return to absorbent generator 30 through 4| to be mixed with absorbent from refrigerant generator passing from this to absorbent generator through pipe 38. Any further description of the apparatus should not be necessary.

Now referring to Fig. 4, the specific difference between this apparatus and the others is the provision to bubble the inert gas through a liquid refrigerant and thence to' bubble the gas mixture through the absorbent. This I do by adjusting the different'pressures through'the apparatus.

It is seen that by starting out with a pressure P in the absorber 95 and refrigerant generator 'I'I above the liquid level, I will have P plus h pressure above the liquid in evaporator and P plus Zn in the absorbent generator. I will thus indicated.

Cooling coils IM and a will cool the absorbent vapor in I2 and the liquid in 95. Ejector 34 supplied with steam will cause necessary circulation of the mediums. Any further description should not be required.

In Fig. 5 I illustrate another modification of my apparatus, as illustrated in Fig. 2. Absorbent generator IIIl containing water or other absorbent liquid is heated by flame IIIla. A mixture of steam and liquid water ascends through pipe III to discharge into condenser II2. It. is seen that normally the liquid level is at A. Due to pressure created in generator H0 a lower level B will occur in same which will also force the liquid-in pipe I I3 from level A to level C. As the leg I I2 is equal to the leg III above level A, no power will be required in the percolator as in other types where aliquid is actually raised from a lower to a higher point. Pipe I32 will maintain equal pressure in H0 and H2.

In condenser II2 any steam present will condense in passing its latent heat tothe medium in surrounding vessel H4, and the accumulation of being under P plus it pressure while the restof the apparatus will be under P pressure. This pressure difference will maintain the difierent levels at A, B and C as indicated. It will also give a pressure P plus it in steam connection I25 which will force the steam through nozzle I26 causing motion of the vapors between an evaporator I29 to an absorber I28, as in the other illustrations.

In this modification I heat the solution in refrigerant generator H8 in a different manner than shown in my other illustration. The object of my special arrangement is to construct an apparatus in which the heat transferred from the vaporized absorbent at a higher point may be realized in the solution at a lower point. Ordinarily, this is of course not possible; but in my device it is possible by arranging for a heat transfer agent from the higher to the lower point.

Vessel I I 4 therefore contains someliquid medium, water or other, which receives the heat from the This vessel connects from its upper end through a loop I I5, I I6 and. I I! with its lower end. The heated liquid in H4 will rise and cause circulation through 5, I I6 aouasso and II! back to 4.. In N6 the heat will be transferred over to the solution in refrigerant generator I I 8, thus creating an additional force to assist in the above mentioned circulation. It is thus seen that the heat transferred from the vapor in H2 at a high point is later realized in H8 at a lower point. This will enable raising of the absorbent from the low level B to the high level 0 without undue expenditure of heat energy.

The refrigerant vapor passes through pipe I20, rectifier I2I, condenser I22, receiver I23, pipe I 24 into evaporator I29. The absorbent passes into absorber I28, thence enriched by refrigerant through pipe I3I into absorbent generator H8, and the freed absorbent through pipe I I9 back to absorbent generator III). Evaporator I29 and absorber I28 are filled with inert gas and circulation is caused by injector action in pipe I21.

I have shown and described certain apparatus and assumed certain mediums as illustrations. It is clear that I may use many other constructions, use many other heating and cooling means-and many other mediums. I include any and all means and mediums suitable to carry out my invention.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. That improvement in the art of refrigeration by the aid of a system containing absorbent fluid, refrigerant fluid and additional fluid for equalizing pressure which consists in vaporizing the absorbent, passing said vapor into an injector, condensing part of said vapor in said injector for supplementing the energy required for said passing step and occasioning thereby an increased velocity of said vapor and its product, and utilizing the energy in said increased velocity to circulate with said vapor and its product a mixture of refrigerant vapor and inert vapor between an absorber and an evaporator.

2. That step in refrigeration through the agency of a generator-condenser-evaporator-absorber cycle and containing refrigerant, absorbent and pressure equalizing inert gas which comprises transferring the heat of vaporization in the absorbent vapor to a liquid heat transfer medium and then transferring this heat from said heat transfer medium to a'solution of said absorbent and said refrigerant to vaporize said refrigerant out of said solution.

3. A method of refrigeration comprising vaporizing an absorbent, transferring heat of vaporization to a liquid heat transfer medium, transferring said' heat from said heat transfer medium to a solution of the absorbent and a refrigerant vaporizing said refrigerant out of the solution, condensing said refrigerant vapor, vaporizing said refrigerant liquid in the presence of an inert gas forming a mixture of vapors, bringing said mixture of vapors in the presence of the first mentioned absorbent after its heat of vaporization has been transferred to the said heat transfer medium so as to absorb said refrigerant and creating a circulation of said mixture of vapors through the means of a current of absorbent vapor which is forced through an injector, the condensation of said vapor in said injector changing the heat energy into kinetic energy and thus causing a flow of the said mixture of vapors, and

returning the different mediums to their respective points of beginning.

eration which comprises vaporizing the. absorbent under the higher pressure, vaporizing the refrigerant out of a solution of absorbent and refrigerant under the lower pressure and by transferring the heat of absorbent vapor to the solution, by a liquid heat transfer medium condensing the refrigerant, vaporizing the refrigerant in the presence of an inert gas and under the lower pressure, separating the refrigerant from the inert gas by absorbing the refrigerant in the absorbent forming a solution, and causing circulation of the refrigerant vapor and inert gas by the means of absorbent vapor expanding from the higher to the lower pressure in an injector.

5. In the process of refrigeration through the agency of an absorption system employing a refrigerant and an absorption medium therefor and an inert pressure equalizing fluid, that step in the process which embraces the circulation of the inert fluid and the refrigerant vapor between an evaporator and an absorber which comprises, vaporizing the absorbent and utilizing a portion of said vapor to cause this said-circulation and transferring the remaining portion of said absorbent -to a path of flow towards the absorber.

6. That improvement in the art of refrigeration by the aid of a system containing absorbent fluid, refrigerant fluid and additional fluid for equalizing pressure which consists in vaporizing an absorbent, passing a portion of said vapor through an injector, condensing said vapor in said injector causing an increased velocity and utilizing the energy in said increased velocity to circulate a mixture'of refrigerant vapor and inert gas between an absorber and an evaporator.

'7. In a refrigerating apparatus, means to generate absorbent vapor, means to transfer a portion of this vapor in heat exchange relation with a refrigerant generator and another portion to an injector and other means to supply said injector with a mixture of refrigerant vapor and an inert gas.

8. That improvement in the art of refrigeration by the aid of a system containing absorbent fluid, refrigerant fluid, and additional fluid for equalizing pressure which consists in vaporizing the absorbent fluid and generating force within the system by means of a portion of said vapor and circulating said additional fluid in said system due to said force and transferring the remaining portion of said absorbent to a path of flow towards an absorber.

9. A method of refrigeration comprising, generating an absorbent vapor, condensing a portion of this absorbent vapor by transferring its heat to a solution of refrigerant and absorbent producing arefrigerant vapor, condensing a second portion of this absorbent vapor to produce absorption liquid and passing said absorption liquid through an absorber absorbing refrigerant vapor, passing a third portion of this absorbent vapor to an ejector in communication with said absorber and an evaporator in such a manner as to cause circulation of vapors between and through said absorber and said evaporator, condensing the re-' frigerant vapor produced in the refrigerant genthence the said absorbent to point of beginning.

10. A method of refrigeration, comprising heating an absorbent generator producing absorbent vapor and a thermodynamic force to elevate the remaining liquid to a higher point, utilizing part of the absorbent vapor produced to evaporate a refrigerant vapor out of a solution of refrigerant in absorbent liquid in a refrigerant generator and another part to cause ciculation of vapors between and through an absorber and an evaporator, liquefying the refrigerant vapor produced and introducing said liquid into said evaporator in the presence of an inert gas and.

vaporizing said liquid refrigerant, allowing said absorbent liquid to fall by gravity from its elevated position through the said absorber to absorb refrigerant vapor, returning the solution formed to said refrigerant generator and said absorbent from said refrigerant generator to said absorbent generator.

agency of an absorption system employing a re frigerant and an absorption medium therefor and an inert pressure equalizing fluid, that step in the process which embraces the circulation of the inert fluid and the refrigerant vapor between an evaporator and an absorber which comprises,

vaporizing the absorbent and utilizing a portion of said vapor passing from a higher to a lower pressure to cause this said circulation and transferring the remaining portion of said absorbent to a path of flow towards the absorber.

12. That improvement in the art of refrigeration by the aid-of a system containing absorbent fluid, refrigerant fluid and additional fluid for equalizing pressure, which consists in vaporizing the absorbent fluid and generating force within the system by the means of a prtl0n' of said vapor passing from a higher-to a lower pressure and circulating said additional fluid in said system due to said force and transferring the remaining portion of said absorbent to a path of flow towards an absorber.

13. That improvement in the art of refrigeration by the aid of a system including an evaporator and an absorber circuit and a parallel circuit containing said absorber and an absorbent generator and containing absorbent fluid and. additional pressure equalizing fluid which consists in generating force in the absorbent generator by the vaporization of the absorbent fluid, transferring a portion of said force to the evaporatorabsorber circuit by passing a part of said vapor tion by the aid of a system including an evapora tor circuit and containing refrigerant fluid and additional fluid, which consists in generating a thermodynamic force outside said circuit by pro- 11. In the process of refrigeration through the absorber-condenser-evaporator consists in generating vapor of absorbent in the and an absorber and containing refrigerant fluid and an additional fluid for equalizing pressure, which consists in generating force outside said circuit by the complete vaporization of liquid absorbent, introducing a portion of said vapor into said circuit to produceci'rculation between the absorber and the evaporator, and transferring the remaining portion of said absorbent to a path of flow towards the absorber.

16. That improvement in the art of refrigeration by the aid of system including an evaporator and an absorber which comprises circulating vapors between and through said evaporator and said absorber by generating absorbent vapor outside said system by heat application and utilizing portions of said vapor to cause said circulation, and transferring the remaining portion of said vapor to a path of flow towards the absorber.

17. That improvement in the art of refrigeration through the agency of a generator and an circuit, which generator, passing part of said vapor into the condenser in such a manner as to cause a flow of fluids from the absorber intoithe evaporator and passing the balance of the absorbent into said absorber.

18. That improvement in the art of refrigeration through the agency of a generator-absorberevaporator cycle, which consists in withdrawing weal: absorption liquid from the generator, vaporizing the withdrawn liquid to produce a heat source and a-flow motivating force, utilizing the said heat source to vaporize liquid in the generator and utilizing said flow motivating force to circulate fluids between the evaporator and the absorber.

19. That improvement in the art of refrigeration through the agency of a first circuit consisting of arefrigerant.generator-refrigerant-con- BQ FOLKE RANDEL.

D l S C L A l M E R 2,052,58O.-B0 Folke Randal, San Diego, Calif. MEANS AND METHOD OF REFRIGER- ATION. Patent dated September 1, 1936. Disclaimer filed July 31, 1940,

by the assignee, Servel, Inc. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claim 1 of said specification.

[O cial Gazette August 20, 1.940] 

